Description of hunting in Tolstoy's childhood. L.N

Sorokina Evgenia

Object of study – texts of L.N. Tolstoy’s story “Childhood” and A.M. Gorky’s story of the same name

Subject of study : techniques for creating images of the main characters, similarities and differences.

Target : creation of an algorithm for use in further work in literature lessons “Comparative characteristics of images of a work of art.”

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RESEARCH

PROJECT

ON LITERATURE

“COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MAIN CHARACTERS IN THE WORKS OF L.N. TOLSTOY “CHILDHOOD” AND THE STORY OF THE SAME NAME BY A.M. GORKY.”

Prepared

7A class student

Sorokina Evgenia

HEAD: Svetlana Ivanovna Kovaleva, teacher of Russian language and literature, Municipal Budgetary Educational Institution Secondary School No. 14, Yaroslavskaya Station, Mostovsky District, Krasnodar Territory

year 2012

Object of study- texts of the story “Childhood” by L.N. Tolstoy and the story of the same name by A.M. Gorky

Subject of study: techniques for creating images of the main characters, similarities and differences.

Target : creation of an algorithm for use in further work in literature lessons “Comparative characteristics of images of a work of art.”

Tasks :

2. Study sections of literary criticism related to the creation of the image of a literary hero;

3 . Identify similarities and differences in the methods of creating the main character of a work according to plan.

4. Systematize the collected material. Summarize the comparison results and draw conclusions.

5. Create an algorithm for working on a literary image.

Research methods: analysis of scientific literature; comparison of works; modeling a hypothesis, creating an algorithm for further work in literature lessons.

The plot of M. Gorky’s story “Childhood” and L.N. Tolstoy’s story of the same name are based on facts from the real biography of the writers. This determined the features of the genre of works - the autobiographical story. The works of Gorky and Tolstoy are separated by a significant period of time.

The story by A.M. Gorky was written in 1913, where he described the events associated with the growing up of a little man. This story is autobiographical, in which the writer offers the reader a description of his own childhood in literary adaptation. The first part of Tolstoy's trilogy was created in 1851-1852.

comparison table

Based on ideological and artistic analysis, we will present the similarities and differences

works by A.M. Gorky and L.N. Tolstoy

The narrative of the works is based on a subjective organization. The writer offers the reader a description of his own childhood in literary adaptation. The most important images are the image of Nikolenka Irtenyev (“Childhood” by L.N. Tolstoy) and Alyosha Peshkov (“Childhood” by A.M. Gorky).

L.N. Tolstoy shows his heroes in those conditions and in those circumstances where their personality can manifest itself most clearly. In small but incredibly bright inclusions, moments are woven into the fabric of the narrative in which we are talking about something that goes beyond the understanding of a child. For A.M. Gorky, first of all, life circumstances and aesthetic motives determined the need to turn to children's themes in literature.

Each of the writers uses in different ways such traditional Russian literature methods of presenting a person’s characteristics as describing a portrait of a hero, depicting his gesture, and manner of behavior, since all of these are external manifestations of the hero’s inner world.

1.External features (portrait). A portrait characteristic often expresses the author's attitude towards a character.

2. Psychological analysis. (Detailed, detailed recreation of feelings, thoughts, motives - the inner world of the character)

3. Character's character. It is revealed in actions, in relation to other people, in descriptions of the hero’s feelings, in his speech.

5. Comparison of the hero with other characters and contrast with them.

6. Depiction of the conditions in which the hero lives and acts.

7.Image of the social environment, society in which the character lives and acts.

8.Artistic detail.

9.Presence or absence of a prototype.

The hero of L.N. Tolstoy and A.M. Gorky lives in a special world - the world of childhood, which includes the following

THE WORLD OF CHILDHOOD

Based on the presented plan, we will consider what techniques authors use to create a literary image. Let's identify some of their similarities and differences.

Techniques for creating the image of the main character in L.N. Tolstoy’s story “Childhood”

Techniques for creating the image of the main character in A.M. Gorky’s story “Childhood”

COMMON FEATURES. DIFFERENCES

So, when characterizing a child hero in a work of fiction, the following must be taken into account:

1. Psychological analysis. (Detailed, detailed recreation of feelings, thoughts, motives - the inner world of the character)

2.Character's character. Revealed in actions, in relation to other people, in descriptions of the hero’s feelings, in his speech

4. Comparison of the hero with other characters and contrast with them.

5.Image of the conditions in which the hero lives and acts.

6.Image of the social environment, society in which the character lives and operates

Childhood is a happy time in the life of every person. After all, in childhood everything seems bright and joyful, and any disappointments are quickly forgotten, as are short grievances against family and friends. It is no coincidence that many works of Russian writers are devoted to this topic: “The Childhood of Bagrov the Grandson” by S. Aksakov, “The Childhood of Tyoma” by Garin-Mikhailovsky, “How the Boys Grew Up” by E. Morozov and many other works.

The hero of the trilogy “Childhood. Adolescence. Youth" by Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy - Nikolenka Irtenev. By the time the story begins, he is ten years old. It was from the age of ten that noble children were sent to study in lyceums, boarding houses and other educational institutions, so that, having received an education, they would serve the benefit of the Fatherland. The same future awaits Nikolenka. In a few weeks, together with his father and older brother, he must leave for Moscow to study. In the meantime, surrounded by family and friends, he experiences happy and carefree moments of childhood.

This story is considered autobiographical because Lev Nikolaevich recreated the atmosphere of his childhood. After all, he himself grew up without a mother: she died when Lev was one and a half years old. In the story, the same heavy loss awaits the main character, but this will happen at the age of ten, that is, he will have the opportunity to love and literally idolize his maman, as it was customary for the nobles to call their mother in the French manner. The hero admits that when he tried to remember his mother, he only imagined brown eyes, "always expressing the same kindness and love, but the general expression eluded". Obviously, the writer, who does not remember his mother, embodied image of maman a certain ideal of a woman-mother.

Right from the first chapters, together with Nikolenka, the reader is immersed in the atmosphere of noble life of the late 19th century. The hero's childhood world is connected with his tutors and courtyard people. The teacher of German origin, Karl Ivanovich, turns out to be closest to him, his acquaintance with whom opens the story. For Nikolenka, a momentary resentment towards this kindest man turns into a feeling of shame that torments him.

In fact, it is in story "Childhood" Lev Nikolaevich was the first to use a technique that critics later called "dialectics of the soul". Describing the state of his hero, the author used an internal monologue that testified to a change in the hero’s state of mind: from joy to sadness, from anger to a feeling of awkwardness and shame. It is precisely such rapid and sudden changes in the hero’s mental state - the dialectics of the soul - that Tolstoy will use in his famous works.

The quarrel with Natalya Savishna, who devoted her entire life to raising her mother, and then all her children, becomes just as painful for him. Having received her freedom, she regarded it as a sign of disfavor, as an undeserved punishment for her, and tore up the document. Only her mother’s assurance that everything would be as before reconciled her with her future life in the Irtenyev family. Natalya Savishna faithfully served this family and over all these years saved only 25 rubles in banknotes, although “I lived sparingly and shook myself over every rag”, as her brother put it. She died a year after maman’s death, because she was firmly convinced that “God briefly separated her from the one on whom all the power of her love had been concentrated for so many years”. Having lost two people dear to him, Nikolenka, who immediately matured and became more serious, constantly thought that providence had only united him with these two creatures in order to forever make him regret them.

Of course, the world of the Russian barchuk (that’s what noble children were called) is connected with the world of adults: this is the hunt in which Nikolenka and his brothers take part; These include balls, where you not only need to be able to dance the mazurka and all the other dances required by etiquette, but also conduct small talk. In order to please Sonechka Valakhina with cute fair-haired curls and tiny legs, Nikolai, in imitation of adults, wants to put on gloves, but finds only an old and dirty kid glove, which causes universal laughter from those around him and the shame and annoyance of the main character.

Nikolai also experiences his first disappointment in friendship. When Seryozha Ivin, his undisputed idol, humiliated Ilenka Grapa, the son of a poor foreigner, in the presence of other boys, Nikolenka felt sympathy for the offended boy, but did not yet find the strength to protect and console him. After loving Sonechka, the feeling for Seryozha cooled completely, and the hero felt that Seryozha’s power over him had also been lost.

Thus ends this carefree time in the life of Nikolenka Irtenyev. After the death of maman, the hero’s life will change, which will be reflected in another part of the trilogy - in “Adolescence”. Now he will be called Nikolas, and he himself will understand that the world can turn out to be a completely different side.

• “After the Ball”, analysis of the story by Leo Tolstoy

The themes that L. N. Tolstoy touches on in his work are truly eternal! During the lesson you will get acquainted with a work in which all the skill of Tolstoy as a writer, psychologist, and philosopher was demonstrated. We will talk about the autobiographical story “Childhood”. You will read and analyze the chapters “Classes”, “Natalia Savishna”, “Childhood”.

Topic: From 19th century literature

Lesson: L.N. Tolstoy. The story "Childhood". Analysis of selected chapters

Rice. 1. Book cover ()

Reading and analysis of the chapter “Classes”.

The main role in this chapter is played by the teacher Karl Ivanovich, we already met him in the chapter “Maman”. But, of course, the peculiarity of the work is how the little boy Nikolenka Irtenyev, who is 10 years old, perceives life, adults and his teacher Karl Ivanovich. The chapter begins like this:

“Karl Ivanovich was very out of sorts.”

Let's observe the reaction of the adults in this chapter, the reaction of the child, his thoughts, his understanding of life.

“This was noticeable by his knitted eyebrows and by the way he threw his coat into the chest of drawers, and how angrily he belted himself, and how strongly he scratched with his fingernail on the book of dialogues to indicate the place to which we had to harden. Volodya studied well; I was so upset that I absolutely could not do anything.”

Rice. 2. Illustration for L. N. Tolstoy’s story “Childhood” ()

As we know, Nikolenka was upset by the news that they were now being taken to Moscow, and the teacher Karl Ivanovich would no longer teach.

“For a long time I looked senselessly at the book of dialogues, but from the tears that were gathering in my eyes at the thought of the impending separation, I could not read...” “When it came to penmanship, from the tears falling on the paper, I made such blots as It was like writing with water on wrapping paper.”

How keenly does the boy feel about himself?

“Karl Ivanovich got angry, put me on my knees, insisted that this was stubbornness, a puppet comedy (this was his favorite word), threatened with a ruler and demanded that I ask for forgiveness, while I could not utter a word from tears; Finally, probably feeling his injustice, he went into Nikolai’s room and slammed the door.”

Despite the fact that Nikolenka is still a child, he perfectly sees and understands the actions of adults. Nikolenka hears a conversation in Nikolai’s room, where Karl Ivanovich complains about the injustice of the owner, who takes the children away to study and deprives him of his job.

“I’ve been living in this house for twelve years and I can say before God, Nikolai,” continued Karl Ivanovich, raising his eyes and snuffbox to the ceiling, “that I loved them and took care of them more than if they were my own children. Do you remember, Nikolai, when Volodenka had a fever, do you remember how I sat at his bedside for nine days without closing my eyes. Yes! then I was kind, dear Karl Ivanovich, then I was needed; and now,” he added, smiling ironically, “now the children have become big: they need to study seriously.” Are they sure they don’t study here, Nikolai?”

And, of course, Nikolenka sympathized with the grief that Karl Ivanovich experienced. Here's how Tolstoy writes about it:

“I sympathized with his grief, and it hurt me that my father and Karl Ivanovich, whom I loved almost equally, did not understand each other; I again went to the corner, sat on my heels and talked about how to restore harmony between them.”

These were the child’s feelings, but let’s see how Karl Ivanovich’s resentment manifests itself during the lesson.

“Several times, with different intonations and with an expression of the greatest pleasure, he read this saying, which expressed his sincere thought.” And the saying was this: “Of all vices, the most serious is Ingratitude.”

How does Nikolenka perceive the behavior of his teacher?

“His face was not gloomy as before; it expressed the satisfaction of a man who had deservedly taken revenge for the insult inflicted on him.”

Nikolenka understands Karl Ivanovich’s behavior and perceives him as a person who almost didn’t keep track of his feelings.

“It was a quarter to one; but Karl Ivanovich, it seemed, did not even think about letting us go: he kept asking new lessons. Boredom and appetite increased in equal measure. I watched with great impatience all the signs that proved the approach of dinner. Here is a yard woman with a washcloth going to wash the plates, and you can hear the noise of dishes in the buffet..."

But Karl Ivanovich was relentless. This is how the chapter “Karl Ivanovich” ends.

Reading and analysis of the chapter “Natalia Savishna”.

Rice. 3. Illustration for L. N. Tolstoy’s story “Childhood” ()

“In the middle of the last century, a barefoot, but cheerful, fat and red-cheeked girl, Natasha, ran around the courtyards of the village of Khabarovka in a shabby dress. According to her merits and the request of her father, the clarinetist Savva, my grandfather took her up - to be among the female servants of my grandmother. The maid Natasha was distinguished in this position by her meekness of disposition and diligence. When mother was born and a nanny was needed, this responsibility was assigned to Natasha. And in this new field, she earned praise and rewards for her activities, loyalty and affection for the young lady. But the powdered head and buckled stockings of the lively young waiter Foka, who had frequent relations with Natalya in his work, captivated her rough but loving heart. She even decided to go to her grandfather to ask permission to marry Foku. Grandfather mistook her wish for ingratitude, became angry and exiled poor Natalya for punishment to a barnyard in a steppe village. After six months, however, since no one could replace Natalia, she was returned to the court and to her former position. Returning from exile in a disheveled state, she appeared to her grandfather, fell at his feet and asked him to return his mercy, affection and forget the nonsense that had come over her and which, she swore, would never return. And indeed, she kept her word.

From then on, Natasha became Natalya Savishna and put on a cap: she transferred the entire supply of love that was stored in her to her young lady.”

“When maman got married, wanting to somehow thank Natalya Savishna for her twenty years of work and affection, she called her to her and, expressing in the most flattering words all her gratitude and love for her, handed her a sheet of stamped paper on which she was written free Natalya Savishna, and said that, regardless of whether she would continue to serve in our house or not, she would always receive an annual pension of three hundred rubles. Natalya Savishna listened to all this in silence, then, picking up the document, looked at it angrily, muttered something through her teeth and ran out of the room, slamming the door. Not understanding the reason for such a strange act, maman a little later entered Natalya Savishna’s room. She sat with tear-stained eyes on the chest, fingering a handkerchief with her fingers, and gazed intently at the shreds of her torn free clothes lying on the floor in front of her.”

“Ever since I can remember, I remember Natalya Savishna, her love and affection; but now I only know how to appreciate them...”

And again, this is the view of an adult at what happened to him in childhood, a view from the position of time, from the position of wisdom.

“...at the time it never occurred to me what a rare, wonderful creature this old woman was. She not only never spoke, but also did not think, it seems, about herself: her whole life was love and self-sacrifice. I was so used to her selfless, tender love for us that I never imagined that it could be otherwise, I was not at all grateful to her and never asked myself the questions: is she happy? Are you satisfied?

And we encounter an interesting case in the chapter “Natalya Savishna”.

Think about how this scene brings out the humanity and character of the main character.

“That's how it was. At dinner, while pouring myself some kvass, I dropped the decanter and spilled it on the tablecloth.

Call Natalya Savishna so she can be happy about her pet,” said maman.

Natalya Savishna came in and, seeing the puddle I had made, shook her head; then maman said something in her ear, and she, threatening me, went out.

After lunch, I, in the most cheerful mood, jumped and went into the hall, when suddenly Natalya Savishna jumped out from behind the door with a tablecloth in her hand, caught me and, despite desperate resistance on my part, began to rub my wet face, saying : "Don't dirty the tablecloths, don't dirty the tablecloths!" It offended me so much that I burst into tears of anger.”

The first feeling that arises in the hero is a feeling of resentment and a feeling of anger.

“What! - I said to myself, walking around the hall and choking on tears. - Natalya Savishna, just Natalya, you tell me, and also hits me in the face with a wet tablecloth, like a yard boy. No, this is terrible! "

In this scene, Nikolenka perceives all the traditions that were characteristic of noble families, that level of understanding that she and Natalya are not at the same levels of the social ladder, it is already clear to Nikolenka.

However, this feeling of anger, this feeling of resentment is inferior to other more moral categories.

“When Natalya Savishna saw that I was drooling, she immediately ran away, and I, continuing to walk, thought about how to repay the impudent Natalya for the insult inflicted on me.”

See how feelings develop: resentment, anger and hidden anger.

“A few minutes later Natalya Savishna returned, timidly approached me and began to exhort:

Come on, my father, don’t cry... forgive me, you fool... I’m to blame... you’ll forgive me, my darling... here you go.

She took out from under her scarf a cornet made of red paper, in which there were two caramels and one wineberry, and with a trembling hand she handed it to me. I didn’t have the strength to look the kind old lady in the face: I turned away and accepted the gift, and the tears flowed even more abundantly, but no longer from anger, but from love and shame.”

Reading and analysis of the chapter “Childhood”

Rice. 4. Illustration for L. N. Tolstoy’s story “Childhood” ()

The chapter “Childhood” begins with wonderful words that could become an epigraph to the entire story:

“Happy, happy, irrevocable time of childhood! How not to love, not to cherish memories of her? These memories refresh, elevate my soul and serve as a source of the best pleasures for me.”

Pay attention to the vocabulary used in the chapter. So many good, warm words! Try to see the most important of them, keywords.

“...You sit and listen. And how not to listen? Maman is talking to someone, and the sounds of her voice are so sweet, so welcoming. These sounds alone speak so much to my heart!”

“No one’s indifferent glances bother her: she is not afraid to pour out all her tenderness and love on me. I don’t move, but I kiss her hand even more firmly.”

"Tears of love and delight."

“...Love for her and love for God somehow strangely merged into one feeling.

After prayer, you used to wrap yourself in a blanket; the soul is light, bright and joyful; Some dreams drive others, but what are they about? They are elusive, but filled with pure love and hopes for bright happiness.”

How many kind words we saw: heart, tenderness, love. Word "Love" repeated several times during the chapter. Love, love, love, tears of love and delight, bright happiness, love and hope, the soul is light, bright, joyful - these are the feelings of childhood that Nikolenka carried through.

“Will that freshness, carefreeness, need for love and strength of faith that you possess in childhood ever return? What better time could there be than when the two best virtues - innocent gaiety and the boundless need of love - were the only motives in life? “Are there really only memories left?”

This is the question that ends the chapter “Childhood.” And Tolstoy poses this question to the reader: will that freshness and carelessness ever return? What time could be better than childhood? Probably, you need to love, appreciate your childhood, treat both mom and dad with love.

Conclusion.

The peculiarity of the hero of the story “Childhood” is that he constantly shows his feelings and is often merciless towards himself, often reproaches himself for some actions, for which he later becomes ashamed.

Nikolenka remembers the happy time spent in the village. He remembers people who were selflessly devoted to their family, he remembers his childhood.

A large place in the story is occupied by the description of the feeling of love for people, the ability to love oneself. These are the feelings that delight Tolstoy himself. But at the same time, Tolstoy shows how very often the world of adults can destroy a child’s understanding of life.

The story “Childhood” ends with the death of the mother. And another, completely different time comes, which Nikolenka will never again call the happy, irrevocable time of childhood.

Bibliography

1. Korovina V.Ya. Didactic materials on literature. 7th grade. — 2008.
2. Tishchenko O.A. Homework on literature for grade 7 (for the textbook by V.Ya. Korovina). — 2012.
3. Kuteinikova N.E. Literature lessons in 7th grade. — 2009.
4. Korovina V.Ya. Textbook on literature. 7th grade. Part 1. - 2012.
5. Korovina V.Ya. Textbook on literature. 7th grade. Part 2. - 2009.
6. Ladygin M.B., Zaitseva O.N. Textbook-reader on literature. 7th grade. — 2012.
Source).

Homework

1. Which episode of the story made the strongest impression on you? Why?
2. What does Tolstoy’s story “Childhood” teach? What makes you think?
3. Do you think it is useful to read this story not only to children, but also to adults? Why?
4. Remember a bright episode from your childhood. Try to talk about it or describe it in Tolstoy's manner. Try not only to describe the course of the event, but also to convey feelings, experiences, thoughts about people and events.

The story "Childhood" is part of Leo Tolstoy's famous trilogy "Childhood. Adolescence. Youth." The main character Nikolenka Irtenyev is only ten years old by the time the story begins. Let's see what Tolstoy writes about in this work and analyze the story "Childhood".

In those times about which the author writes, children at the age of ten already began to receive a serious education, for which they had to leave home and go to a lyceum or a boarding house. Then, having graduated, such a person could serve for the benefit of the Fatherland. Nikolenka understands that he too will have to go through this. There is not much time left, and his father will take him to Moscow. But now he is surrounded by family and friends, he can still enjoy happy and carefree minutes.

An analysis of the story "Childhood" would be incomplete without mentioning the variety of the genre. In essence, this is an autobiography in which Leo Tolstoy managed to paint a picture of his childhood years with remarkable language and the author’s style, and in great detail. Lev's mother died when the boy was not even two years old; the same event occurs in Nikolenka's life, only later, when the main character is already ten years old. Of course, Tolstoy could not remember his mother, but the image of maman, as the nobles called their mother in the French manner, absorbed the ideal features of the mother in the author’s opinion.

Key details of the analysis of the story "Childhood"

In the very first chapters, the reader sees Nikolenka, surrounded by the atmosphere of noble life. Tutors and courtyard people play a big role in the hero’s world. But one of them made a special impression on Nikolenka. Yes, it is towards Karl Ivanovich - the kindest person - that he feels a fleeting resentment, which then turns into a feeling of shame.

It is worth mentioning separately the “dialectic of the soul”, which Tolstoy began to use for the first time in the story “Childhood”. While describing the state of the main character, Tolstoy resorts to an internal monologue that shows changes in his state of mind. The hero is sometimes happy, sometimes sad; sometimes he gets angry, sometimes he feels awkward and ashamed. These internal impulses are the “dialectics of the soul,” and Tolstoy will often use this technique in the future when talking about his major works.

In the course of analyzing the story “Childhood”, let us consider such aspects of life as: participation in the hunt of Nikolenka and his brothers; trips to the ball, where even noble children must take part in small talk and know what dances are accepted in society. The main character wants to arouse the sympathy of Sonechka Valakhina, for which he tries to imitate adults - putting a funny glove on his hand, he only hears how others make fun of him, and this makes Nikolenka feel ashamed and annoyed.

And soon Nikolai realizes that friendship can also be short-lived. For example, he is disappointed in his idol Seryozha Ivin, who treated the son of a poor foreigner meanly. Seryozha Ivin humiliates Ilenka, and this in front of the other guys. Sympathizing with Ilinka, the main character does not know how to help him. Having experienced such strong feelings as love for Sonechka, or respect for Seryozha, Nikolenka understands that he has passed some important stage in life and something significant has been left behind.

Leo Tolstoy had an amazing ability to write. “Childhood, adolescence, youth” is an autobiographical novel.

Moreover, the author’s idea of ​​the work is emphatically creative: to follow not chronology, but the primary stages of personality development. The classic does not just go into memories, but tries, using the example of the main character, to show the main thing in the life of every child, teenager, and young man. It is noteworthy that with his book he appeals specifically to all parents - not to miss these fundamental points in raising their children. And the writer succeeds in this.

A book of memories about childhood and youth experiences

Structurally, the book consists of three stories, the name of which is mentioned in the title of the novel. The action of the work covers six years of growing up of the main character Nikolenka Irtenyev. The narration is carried out by him, but already in adulthood. Therefore, the childish depth of thought looks organically in him.

“Childhood” by Leo Tolstoy tells about Nikolenka’s life on the Irteniev family estate. From its first pages, the reader is disarmed by the boy's childish spontaneity. The classic truthfully and masterfully shows how a struggle of the most contradictory feelings takes place in the soul of his hero. The composition of the book has its own characteristics.

As a matter of principle, the author does not retell (as is customary in works for children) the chronology of Nikolenka Irtenev’s stay on his parents’ estate. Leo Tolstoy's "Childhood" follows a more subtle author's style. The story tells only those episodes that most influenced the formation of the boy’s feelings and consciousness.

A novel about the importance of kindness in education

The book heartfeltly shows how important it is that kindness is inherent in a small, growing man. It is she, who dominates a kind child, who protects him in the future and helps him not to become bitter and indifferent during various trials.

"Childhood" by Leo Tolstoy shows the reader that in this regard Nikolenka was extremely lucky. After all, some of the coldness of the parents was compensated by the influence of wonderful teachers. The German governess Karl Ivanovich, deprived of his homeland and family by the will of fate, loved him as if he were his own son. And he was not the only one who favored little Irtenyev. Natalya Savvishna, a sweet, bright Russian woman who works as a yard servant, instilled in him an understanding of the importance of kindness in a person’s character.

According to the classic logic, the kindness of a child directly affects the development of creativity in him. Leo Tolstoy's "Childhood" leads the reader to this conclusion. A brief summary of the story itself can be reduced to several characteristic episodes that reflect the formation of Nikolenka’s personality.

Characteristic episodes from "Childhood"

At the very beginning of the book (this moment is important psychologically), little Irtenyev, who had fallen asleep in class, is woken up by tutor Karl Ivanovich by hitting a fly sitting above his head with a fly swatter. At first the boy became childishly angry with his teacher. The one, dressed in a robe with a cap, seemed disgusting to him at that moment. The essence of this episode is the rapid change from Nikolenka’s surge of negativity to appeasement. After all, he really loved Karl Ivanovich very much and was grateful to him for the warmth that the elderly German gave him.

The child’s consciousness undergoes a confrontation between two principles: creative and rational. This is important to mention when retelling “Childhood” by Leo Tolstoy. The summary of the corresponding rather tense episode looks quite peaceful outwardly. Thoughts and feelings are seething inside the child. Nikolenka draws scenes of a hunt to which his father took him.

All he had was blue paint. And he decides to create his own blue world. Nikolenka first drew a boy on a horse, next to him - hunting dogs and a hare. But then something went wrong. An obsessive thought arose that this could not happen. The boy got nervous. In place of the hare, he drew a bush, then a cloud, and then tore up his drawing. Nikolenka’s sweet spontaneity. It is clear that the fantasy in him is so strong that it exceeds rationalism. Apparently, the same creativity seethed in the author himself during his childhood.

"Childhood" by Leo Tolstoy contains another characteristic episode. The author leads us to the idea that a real living person (but not a “man in a case”) should play in childhood, because childhood itself is one big and exciting game. This is how people are formed. Play in childhood is very important. After all, it is in it that spontaneity and collectivism are brought up. The corresponding episode shows how Nikolenka and other children, in complete delight, sat down on the ground, pretending to be rowers. It is significant that his older brother Volodya, who was a couple of years older, called the game “nonsense” and remained on the sidelines. Does such cold rationality imply kindness? It is not surprising that these two people who are close by blood - brothers - do not have a strong friendship. Indeed, how can ice and fire, an impulse of the soul and a preliminary calculation get along?

Is “childhood” a key part of the novel?

Leo Tolstoy (“Childhood”) writes about the importance of a child’s connection with his family and the whole world, established through love. The summary of the work reflects this deep, genetic relationship between Nikolenka and her family. It is no coincidence that the story ends with a sudden sharp turn in the boy’s fate, a tragic event - his mother dies.

It is characteristic that the further development of the plot in the two subsequent stories only continues the logical chain starting from the childhood stage. Without further ado, let us state that the story “Childhood” is the key part of the entire novel. It is impossible to understand its essence by reading only its two subsequent parts - “Adolescence” and “Youth”. And all because both Nikolenka’s adolescence and youth act as a kind of exam for the kindness and cordiality inherent in his personality since childhood.

“Adolescence” and “Youth”: how to grow up while remaining yourself?

Leo Tolstoy consistently shows us the stages of growing up as a man. Childhood, adolescence, youth. Like all children, Nikolenka has a desire to be like adults. He is afraid to show warmth so natural for his age, believing that other teenagers will perceive it as “childish.” The matured main character, on whose behalf the story is written, expresses regret that at this stage he deprived himself of “the pure pleasures of tender childhood affection.”

The Irtenyevs go to the house of their grandmother, a Moscow lady. Soon an incident occurs that causes stress and even loss of consciousness for Nikolenka. The grandmother, without understanding it, fired Nikolenka’s beloved Karl Ivanovich, taking in his place a French tutor. The teenager’s psyche could not stand it; he was in a stressful state: he received a “D” in history, and accidentally broke the key to his father’s hiding place. And when the new tutor Saint-Jerome scolded him, the boy went into conflict with him: he stuck out his tongue and then even hit him. After the punishment (Nikolenka was locked in a closet), he had convulsions that ended in fainting. However, his family forgave him, and peace reigned in his heart again.

The story demonstrates that the teenager Nikolenka retained his childish sincerity and kindness. After all, it was he, the observant one, who begged his father to marry off the serving maid Masha, who was in love with the tailor Vasily, in marriage with a dowry.

“Youth” introduces us to Irtenyev, a university student. Student life takes him away from the ideals of childhood. Nikolenka is disoriented. Form takes precedence over content. He is superficial in communicating with people, blindly tries to follow the laws of fashion, considers it important to skip lectures, be rude, and lead an idle life. Retribution comes in the form of failure in exams.

Irtenyev realizes what he paid for and firmly makes a decision for himself for the rest of his life - to improve morally.

Instead of a conclusion

Leo Tolstoy's novel "Childhood, Adolescence, Youth" is worth reading and re-reading. The apparent lightness of the style and the fascination of the narration of a wonderful storyteller hide a deep thought.

Those who carefully read the book grasp its essence: they begin to understand how the personality of a kind and decent person is formed from childhood and what challenges he will have to overcome in his youth.